Business Networking

[Lois]

Hi how many of you have used business networking meetings?
Do you leave with jobs/leads that produce work that week (or even that month)?
What type of network meetings have you tried, what are the pro's and cons?

Im thinking of getting involved but I want to know what to expect before I come, so tell me what happens at one of these meetings and how can I get the best out of one?

Lois

[DesignsOnline]

Im no expert on networking meetings, so please feel free to correct me anyone if im wrong,
but there appear to be 3 main types of business networking groups/ meetings.

What are called BNI Groups - Which call themselves chapters, you have to pay a membership fee to join (although you can be invited to attend up to twice as a guest before you join) and then you will need to pay a fee (between £10- £20) for each meeting you attend.

Members rules are usually very strict and you are only allowed to miss a maximum of 3 meetings a year or you are kicked out. Members are also expected to provide referals (leads) for all other members every meeting. If you dont have leads for other, then you dont have them, but it can be very uncomfortable when it comes to your turn, and everyone looks at you and say you dont have any. It can be great for some, but it might not be the right kind of group for you. You can read all about BNI networking on their website here: http://www.bni.com/

Paid membership networking groups - Which are very similar, except they are not called chapters and they usually tend to be a little more informal and less rigid. Though you may need to work a little harder to get referals. Generally you still ned to pay for membership to the group and then pay for each meeting.

Open or Free networking groups - These are sometimes better attended, and the great thing is that you can come and go as you please to which ever meetings suit you without feeling preasured to attend meetings that are not convenient for you. Again you simply pay to attend. An example of an open or free membership Networking group is: http://www.networking-on-sea.co.uk

It is always worth making sure that which ever meeting or group you choose to asttend you book it and pay inadvance rather than on the door as that way you will get your details down on the networking list that gets given to all in attendance. It gives you a better chance of producing leads and valuable connections.

As for experiences / Pros / Cons I will leave that to others to comment...

[Lois]

Thanks for the details. BNI networking sounds a bit too scary to me.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who goes to any of these meetings though?
What happends and what do you get out of it and what's it like?

Lois

[FreelanceDeveloper]

I've not had good experience with London BNI chapters.
I was forced to leave because I was unable to attend some of the social events - Xmas party - etc.
You are expected to put the chapter first in your life, above everything else, and because of the pressure
to constantly provide leads for the other members of your chapter, the quality of the leads tends to be very poor.

I do recommend business networking, just not BNI.
That's my experience anyway.

[Adam Baetu]

Hi all , I saw this post and felt a reply was warranted.

My name is Adam Baetu I own a business called Intelligent Visual Communication, we're an email marketing agency.

I joined a local chapter of BNI in January this year. I wanted just to reply to a few of the comments posted here.

There are certain expectations involved in being a member...Yes you are expected to regularly attend meetings... 80% of business is done by word of mouth in the real world. By attending meetings you build up a level of trust and respect with your fellow members and they are more likely to recommend you to their clients/contacts.

If you are unable to attend, you will not be kicked out, there is a very high level of understanding. You also have the option to send someone in your place if you know you can't make a meeting, a 'sub' . If you arrange that, then you aren't absent.

When you get to know a group of business people aswell as you do at BNI , it becomes easy to refer them to your friends / contacts... It's not hard work, it's not essential, and it's not expected. Its appreciated, and apprciation is always reciprocal.
Besides, BNI hold workshops that train you how to get referrals for your fellow members. It's not hard.... I regularly go to meetings with 3 + referrals each week.

The simple fact of the matter is that because of the BNI structure, and because of the way it's approached, it works. It works big time. I am in a chapter of 45 . This year we have passed between us £1.177m of trackable business. BNI does not take a penny of this.

If you haven't been to a BNI meeting as a visitor, I would simply suggest , go and have a look. You have got nothing to lose. If you go, you may love it and maybe get huge success from it.if you don't go, you'll never know.

I have 45 sales people in my company.....They find me work, they look out for me and pass me leads. They carry my business cards with them and recommend me with the highest trust and confidence to their contacts. And I don't pay them a penny !!!!

Can you say the same ?

Kindest Regards to all

Adam Baetu

[Adam Baetu]

I have another post coming, but I also wanted to say , that to say you were ejected from a BNI group for not attending social events is the most ridiculous thing I have EVER heard. It just simply does not and will not happen ..
If you wish to follow this up I will more than happily have a huge go at your chapter director for doing that. What wa his name and what was the chapter please ?

All the best

Adam Baetu